P. V. Rajamannar

P. V. Rajamannar
Advocate General of the Madras Presidency
In office
1944–1945
Preceded by Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer
Succeeded by K. Rajah Iyer
Chief Justice of Madras High Court
In office
1948–1961
Preceded by Sir Frederick Gentle
Succeeded by S. Ramachandra Iyer
Chairman of The Fourth Finance Commission of India
In office
1966–1969
Personal details
Born 1 May 1901
Died 1979

Pakala Venkataramana Rao Rajamannar (1901–1979) was an Indian judge and politician who served as the acting Governor of Madras State from 1957 to 1958.[1] P.V. Rajamannar was the first Indian to become Chief Justice of Madras High Court after independence from 1948 to 1961.[2] He was also the first Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi.

Early life

P. V. Rajamannar was born to Dewan Bahadur P. Venkataramana Rao Naidu, an eminent lawyer who was a Madras High Court Judge and later Chief Justice of Mysore High Court. He completed his schooling at Thondamandalam Thuluva Vellala High School in Mint Street, Madras and did his graduation in the Presidency College, securing First Class in English and Philosophy in B.A in 1921. In B.L he won the Jurisprudence prize in 1923.[3]

Career in Law

In 1924, Rajamannar started his law practice joining his father's chambers.In 1944 P.V. Rajamannar was appointed Advocate-General in succession to Sir Alladi Krishnaswami Aiyar. His appointment also made Rajamannar one of the youngest Advocate-General at 43 years of age. He also appeared as the Public Prosecutor in one of the most sensational murder cases in South India, Lakshmikanthan murder case involving two popular actors and a Journalist with criminal history.

Chief Justice

Later in 1945, P. V. Rajamannar was appointed as Judge of Madras High Court and in 1948 Rajamannar became the first Indian to be elevated as Chief Justice of Madras High Court.[4] He retired in1961 and continued his active services for government by heading various committees .

Other Services

Finance Commission

During the years 1966-1969 P. V Rajamannar was also the Chairman of The Fourth Finance Commission of India.[5]

In addition Pajamannar was also the Chairman for the Fourth Law Commission and the Banking Laws Committee.[6]

Educational Boards

P.V.Rajamannar was also the Chairman of Board of Studies of Law and Chaired the Board of Studies in Telugu at Sri Venkateswara University and Theater Art Faculty at Andhra University. He was also the Member of Syndicate of Madras University.[6]

State Autonomy Committee

In 1969, P.V. Rajamannar was appointed as the Chairman of a 3-member committee P.V. Rajamannar committee to study the State Autonomy and Centre-State relations by the then newly elected DMK government under its Chief Minister Dr. M. Karunanidhi.

Arts of Literature

In addition to his career in Law and administration P. V. Rajamannar was active in Arts and was the first appointed chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi. During his college years and later he edited a Telugu literary journal called Kala and winning the Ramarayaninger Prize for a Telugu Work 'Representative Government in Ancient India.[7] 1964, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship the highest honour conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.[8]

Honours and Legacy

P. V. Rajamannar was conferred Honorary Doctorates from Madras University, Andhra University and Annamalai University. Justice P V Rajamannar Salai (Road) in K. K. Nagar, Chennai is named in his honour.He was also nominated twice to Upper House in Madras and on two occasions acted as Governor.

Works and Publications

References

  1. ↑ Indian states since 1947, (Worldstatesmen, 16 September 2008)
  2. ↑ The Honourable Chief Justices (Madras High Court, 17 September 2008)
  3. ↑ na, na (2012). Famous Judges and Lawyers of Madras. Sumithra Balakrishnan. p. 250.
  4. ↑ na, na (2012). Famous Judges and Lawyers of Madras. Sumithra Balakrishnan. p. 251.
  5. ↑ "Minute by P.V.Rajamannar" (PDF). fincomindia.nic.in. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  6. 1 2 Rao, P.Rajeswar (1991). The Great Indian Patriots, Volume 2 By P. Rajeswar Rao. Mittal Publications. p. 41. ISBN 81-7099-288-5.
  7. ↑ na, na (2012). Famous Judges and Lawyers of Madras. Sumithra Balakrishnan. p. 253.
  8. ↑ "SNA: List of Sangeet Natak Akademi Ratna Puraskarwinners (Akademi Fellows)". Official website.
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